Abstract: The search for Majorana bound state (MBS) has recently emerged as one of the
most active research areas in condensed matter physics, fueled by the prospect
of using its non-Abelian statistics for robust quantum computation. A highly
sought-after platform for MBS is two-dimensional topological superconductors,
where MBS is predicted to exist as a zero-energy mode in the core of a vortex.
A clear observation of MBS, however, is often hindered by the presence of
additional low-lying bound states inside the vortex core. By using scanning
tunneling microscope on the newly discovered superconducting Dirac surface
state of iron-based superconductor FeTe1-xSex (x = 0.45, superconducting
transition temperature Tc = 14.5 K), we clearly observe a sharp and non-split
zero-bias peak inside a vortex core. Systematic studies of its evolution under
different magnetic fields, temperatures, and tunneling barriers strongly
suggest that this is the case of tunneling to a nearly pure MBS, separated from
non-topological bound states which is moved away from the zero energy due to
the high ratio between the superconducting gap and the Fermi energy in this
material. This observation offers a new, robust platform for realizing and
manipulating MBSs at a relatively high temperature.